What is more beautiful than the northern plains of Colorado in late August with the snow capped Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. This is the scene that will greet the exhibitors of the 42nd Annual Continental Divide Horse Show.

Continental Divide started out in 1968 as a Morgan horse show but as the years have passed, the number of Morgans in Colorado has declined so in 2010, the show will present a full complement of classes for the American Saddlebred, Friesian and the Gypsy horse in addition to the Morgan. The show will be host to the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) Region 8 Championships for the fourth year running.

The Continental Divide Horse Show is held at The Ranch at Larimer County Fairgrounds, which is a state-of-the-art facility located just outside of Loveland, CO, and close to great restaurants, an outlet mall and a beautiful shopping mall. Within an hour of the showgrounds, you can be in Estes Park or head down I-25 to Denver and see a Rockies baseball game.

The show officials include John Wich of Harshaw, WI, who will be judging Morgans, Friesians, Gypsy Horses and carriage driving. Cheryl Manahan from Wichita, KS, will judge Saddlebreds, open classes and open equitation. The show photographer is Conrad Flemming from Plum City, WI, and announcing and entertaining the audiences will be Doug Shane from Penrose, CO.

Continental Divide is proud to present their “Free Ride on the Divide.” This promotion was a huge success in 2009 and will again be offered in 2010. For a $25 donation to the show, the horse’s name is entered into a drawing and a class sponsorship is given in the owner’ name. On Friday evening during the show, a name will be drawn and that horse will get a “free ride” at the show. All entry fees will be paid as well as the stall fee, the office charge and the drug fee. What a great way to help an exhibitor and what a great way to help the horse show.

The exhibitor party this year will be one you won’t soon forget. The back room has been reserved at Nordy’s Barbeque Grill, which is just next door to the showgrounds. Nordy’s says their food is so good, “even Texans don’t mess with us.”

The horse show is especially proud of the championship trophies that are awarded. These are colored pencil portraits of each winner done by the outstanding equine artist, Terri Rickford. A photograph of the winner is sent to Terri who will then return the photograph and a portrait to the owner of the winning horse.

The Continental Divide Horse Show is an annual event held at The Ranch at Larimer County Fairgrounds and features classes for Morgans, American Saddlebreds and Gypsy Horses, and hosts the IFSHA Region 8 Friesian Championships.

If you are looking for warm days and crisp nights, fresh air and the Rockies right outside your window, then Continental Divide is for you. Call Farra Baker at (303) 355-7633 or email [email protected] for more information. The prize list is available at www.ShowMeTheRibbons.com.